The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in India has integrated a new chapter regarding the 1975–1977 Emergency into the Grade 9 social science curriculum, framing it as a significant challenge to the nation's democratic foundations. While this period of history—initiated by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi—was previously discussed in senior secondary humanities courses, its inclusion at the ninth-grade level ensures that younger students are now exposed to the era's suspension of civil liberties and democratic norms. Proponents of the move, including Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, argue that educating future generations about this "dark chapter" is essential to preventing any repeat of such authoritarian actions.

However, the decision has reignited a heated political standoff between the BJP and the Congress party. Opposition leaders have criticized the move as an attempt to rewrite and distort history for political gain, while also questioning the timing and transparency of the government. In contrast, BJP spokespersons maintain that the curriculum change is a necessary effort to expose the historical excesses of the Congress party. Amidst the political finger-pointing, NCERT has also had to address concerns regarding the proliferation of unauthorized and pirated versions of its textbooks, urging the public to rely solely on official channels to ensure they are accessing accurate, verified content.